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Hilinski’s Hope’ is with South Carolina’s freshman quarterback as Tyler Hilinski’s family continues to cope with his death, youngest son Ryan carries on his brother’s legacy as South Carolina’s backup quarterback. The water on the lake is smooth this afternoon, hardly a ripple, the calmest the couple can remember. They bought the red brick house that sits on a small peninsula with panoramic views six months ago, seeking a refuge that could provide them peace they no longer had within.

Mark and Kym Hilinski bought a house on Lake Murray so they could be close to their sons, USC freshman quarterback Ryan Hilinski and Kelly Hilinski who lives in Irmo. The Hilinski family is adjusting to life after the suicide of Tyler Hilinski while a quarterback at Washington State. Tyler’s jersey and photos sit prominently in the new house. [email protected]

“We hear the term differently now, mentally strong and mentally tough. What does that really mean? You have to be sick to think that leaving by suicide is going to be better for anybody. There’s no other way to explain it,” Mark said. “At 21 years old, life is fixable, period. That choice shouldn’t be an option. And we want to make sure that if talking about it and telling Tyler’s story is impactful enough for you to share yours, or if you know somebody that’s going through that struggle, we want to give you the tools to get him or her out of it, and talk to a professional. The silence is what hurts the most.”

I will never forget that day in January 2018 when I found out Washington State quarterback Tyler Hilinski had taken his life. My heart was broken and I cried.
Seeing an athlete who was around the same age as me die shook me because I was once in a similar situation. Autopsy reports revealed that Hilinski had suffered from Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), which I thought made it even more important for people to know that athletes, current and former, could be dealing with mental health issues.

AFTER A SERIES of setbacks spanning his health, business and personal life, James Donaldson tells KING5’s Chris Daniels he battled depression, and also contemplated and planned a suicide attempt. Washington State quarterback Tyler Hilinski’s suicide had a profound impact on him, and helped him find his way back.